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New Supreme Court and judicial guidance on Gen AI
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Late last week NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell issued Practice Note 23 Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) along with Guidelines for New South Wales Judges in respect of use of Generative AI. The Law Society of NSW welcomes this development, which will assist the justice system in this state to deal with this rapidly evolving technology that is having a transformative impact on many aspects of life including legal practice. Continue reading >.
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Ceremonial sitting to welcome her Honour Judge Doust
On behalf of the Hon Chief Justice Alstergren AO, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) invites members of the profession to attend a Ceremonial Sitting on 6 December 2024 at 9:30am in Courtroom 13.1, Terrace Tower Group, 80 William Street, Woolloomooloo, Sydney, New South Wales to welcome her Honour Judge Lisa Doust. The Court also invites members of the profession to join the Court for morning tea afterwards. For those of you unable to attend the sitting in person, the Ceremonial Sitting will be live-streamed. Please confirm your attendance here. We hope you are able to join us.
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2025 Opening of Law Term Dinner: Tickets now on sale
The President and Council of the Law Society of NSW invite you to join us for our 2025 Opening of Law Term Dinner on Thursday 6 February 2025, in the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Sydney. The commencement of the Law Term will feature an address by NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell and Jennifer Ball, the 2025 President, who will deliver the Presidential Address. Reserve your seat.
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities
On Tuesday 3 December, Andrew Fraser KC, Maree Skinner, and Darren Fittler will join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion to examine the misconceptions around employing people with disability and share their own lived experiences in reaching leadership positions in the law. Register now for this opportunity to learn more about how we can better support our professional colleagues with disability, so they may participate fully and succeed in the legal profession.
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Registrations Open: Law Society of NSW 2025 Student and Graduate Engagement Initiatives
Registrations are now open for the Law Society of NSW 2025 Student and Graduate Engagement Initiatives including the Graduate and Clerkship Recruitment Programs, incredibly popular Law Students Careers Summit, and more. Participating employers in either of our recruitment programs will receive a substantial discount for all other initiatives. Find out more and secure your place to get a headstart on your 2025 recruitment.
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Super saver exhibitor registrations open: 2025 Law Students Careers Summit
Exhibitor registrations are now open for the 2025 Law Students Careers Summit. This flagship Law Society event provides an unparalleled opportunity to reach law students from all years of study and from across NSW who want to learn more about the career paths available to them and connect with employers from across the legal spectrum. A super saver rate is available until 31 December 2024 with an additional discount for those participating in the Law Society’s Graduate or Clerkship Recruitment Program. We also have an exciting range of sponsorship opportunities available to boost your presence on the day. Click here to find out more and register today to secure your place.
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NCAT Member Recruitment
The Attorney General is seeking applications from qualified persons for appointment to the role of Principal Member (Full-time), Appeals within the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The position has been advertised on the following websites:
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Local Court Arrangements during the Christmas/New Year period 2024/25
The normal rostered sittings of the Local Court are suspended on and from Monday 23 December 2024 and recommence on Monday 6 January 2025. Learn more.
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Local Court Chamber Days and Mid-year recess
Please be advised of the following changes to Local Court listings:
- From 6 January 2025, there will be no scheduled Local Court Chamber Days. Additional work will be listed on any Chamber Days scheduled for 2025, and registries will be able to provide you with more information.
- A Local Court mid-year recess will commence from 2025. During this week the Local Court will not sit, apart from the Centralised Bail Courts in Parramatta. The mid-year recess for next year will be 30 June 2025 to 4 July 2025.
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Magistrates to be called judges under historic change to Local Court Act
NSW Local Court magistrates will be known as judges under amendments to the Local Court Act 2007. The proposed amendments will replace the office of 'Magistrate of the Local Court' with the office of 'Judge of the Local Court', which will remain a statutory office. The changes reflect the seriousness, volume and complexity of work in this jurisdiction and will help improve understanding of the important role of judicial officers in the Local Court. The Attorney General’s full media release is available here.
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Festive Hamper Helper now available to order
Our Festive Helper Hamper has everything you need to make Christmas lunch or dinner one to remember. Filled with goodies to make the day that little bit easier including ginger beer glaze, traditional Christmas pudding, mulled wine bombs, and plenty more. Plus, $10 from every hamper will be donated to this year's President's Charity: United Way Australia. These delicious hampers will be available to order until Wednesday 18 December 2024 or until sold out so get in quick to secure your order today.
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New Considerations for Best Legal Practice: Mandatory Rule 6.1 – online
Thursday 30 January 2025
REGISTER HERE
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Tuesday 3 December 2024
REGISTER HERE
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Property Law: One day intensive – online
Thursday 27 February 2025
REGISTER HERE
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November Service Directory
The LSJ Online Service Directory for November is now available. Here you will find advertisements for agency and referrals, practices for sale and purchase and much more, plus all missing wills notices. Please note: From 1 January 2025 classified advertising in Service Directory will be via prepay only. Please reach out to advertising@lawsociety.com.au with any questions. Read more.
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Submission of the Week: Review of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022
We made a recent submission in response to the question taken on notice and supplementary questions during the hearing of the Joint Select Committee on the NSW Reconstruction Authority on 16 August 2024. Given the breadth of powers and responsibilities allocated under the Act with regard to the central concept of "disaster", we suggested a tighter definition would be helpful. We also raised concern about the breadth of Ministerial powers and emphasised the importance of coordination with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions on disaster management. For all of our submissions, please visit the Policy Submissions 2024 page.
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Changes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995
On 1 December 2024, changes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995 made by the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 will commence to allow a sole parent to change their child’s name if they have sole parental responsibility under a final parenting order made under the Family Law Act 1975 to make decisions about:
- Major long term issues within the meaning of the Family Law Act; or
- The child’s name.
The amendments will apply to all existing and future parenting orders made by the FCFCOA that encompass decisions about a child’s name, even if the relevant order was made prior to commencement. The FCFCOA and the NSW District Court still have jurisdiction to decide disputes about a child’s name and approve a proposed change of name if that is in the child’s best interests.
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Preparing for the 2025 land tax year
Changes to land tax in 2025 include a freeze on thresholds, changes to eligibility requirements for the principal place of residence (PPR) exemption, and an increase to the surcharge land tax rate. For information on these changes and 2025 land tax clearance certificates, see preparing for the 2025 land tax year. For detailed information about the changes to the PPR exemption, see updated Revenue Ruling LT 082v6. Note that for surcharge land tax purposes, the foreign status of a landowner is subject to annual considerations, see surcharge land tax or the surcharge assist tool.
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Peter Brereton SC to join NSW Supreme Court bench
On 20 November 2023, Peter Brereton SC was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW. Mr Brereton has practised as a barrister for 27 years and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2009. He has expertise in a range of legal disciplines and his main area of practice is in commercial law, with an emphasis on competition and consumer law, technology, media and telecommunications, resources and energy as well as financial services. Mr Brereton will be sworn in as a Judge of the Supreme Court on 6 February 2025. The Attorney General’s full media release is available here.
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INSOLVENCY
High Court decision impacts how complex structures are liquidated
By Emily Barrett, Rachel Zeng and Sivanjali Karalasingham >
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SUPPRESSION ORDERS
Lee J judgment takes aim at practice for suppression order overuse
By Jason Polese >
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